I have had my Fit Rite Hydraulics TnT system for about a year. It is a great tool and has really enhanced the
capability of any of my dirt working impliments. It took me a while to get the knack of making fine adjustments on
the fly but once I did I was able to a better job easier and faster. Which is more fun.

I had no flow restrictors in the hydraulic lines to the TnT cylinders. The hydraulic flow rate on my tractor is only
about 7 GPM. When the tractor was at idle speed the adjustment rate of the two cylinders was pretty reasonable
and I could control the blade adjustment while using a large range of valve opening, from just cracked open to full open.

However at work rpm's, I like about 2200 rpm grading on my geared tractor, the adjustment speed of the
cylinders was very fast because of the increased hydraulic flow at higher rpm. It took a very quick and soft touch on the control levers to be able to make fine adjustments. I used my ears too, listening to the valve for feedback and kind of anticipating when to release the lever. If I watched the blade and released the lever when it looked right I would be to slow and the adjustment would be to big. So I had to release the lever early. It sounds a little hard to do but like any tool you just get the feel of it after a while.

After seeing some discussion on TnT systems where Brian recommended flow restrictors I decided to try them. They are cheap enough so I had nothing to loose. I put the two restrictors on today. They are small in-line fittings. They add about 1.75 inches to the hose length. I put them between the male quick coupler and the hose end fitting on the line going to the welded end of each of the two TnT cylinders.

Just for a fun test I tried to put a crown on my packed snow driveway with a rear blade. Just as if it were dirt.

All I can say is WOW, what a difference. It is just so much nicer to have such positive control. I could actually
watch the blade move and release the lever when the blade was where I wanted it instead of trying to inticipate where the blade would end up when the valve finally closes. Because the hydraulic flow is restricted to a low level the ram speed of the cylinders is now independent of the engine rpm's. It is nice and slow all the time.

In hind sight, if I knew how controlable making adjustments with the flow restrictors would be I would have
never said that I did not feel the need for them. Which I naively believed. I think they are a serious improvement.
At least in my case.

This was my experience and I thought I would share it.

01-18-2013, 08:04 PM

MtnViewRanch

Re: I Added Hydraulic Restrictors to my Top 'n' Tilt Today

What I tell people is that yes you can guess as to where it will end up if you don't have the flow restrictors, but with the flow restrictors you can adjust it to where you want it. They usually make such a difference that it is almost hard to believe. :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

01-18-2013, 08:50 PM

npalen

Re: I Added Hydraulic Restrictors to my Top 'n' Tilt Today

What orifice diameter are you using? 1/32"? 1/16"

01-18-2013, 09:38 PM

MtnViewRanch

Re: I Added Hydraulic Restrictors to my Top 'n' Tilt Today

Quote:

Originally Posted by npalen

What orifice diameter are you using? 1/32"? 1/16"

2" dia gets .030
2 1/2" dia gets .045
3" dia gets .060

01-18-2013, 09:52 PM

PandDLong

Thanks for posting of your experiences. I'm about to order my T'n'T and it's very useful to hear of real world use of tools and options.

Nice place you have there as well.

01-19-2013, 01:02 PM

npalen

Re: I Added Hydraulic Restrictors to my Top 'n' Tilt Today

We used restrictor fittings extensively in the fold systems of tillage and seeding equipment some of which were 60' tillage width and had to fold vertically in several sections to roading width. The rule of thumb was to put the restrictor directly on the cylinder fitting to provide a degree of safety in the event of a malfunction such as a hose burst. The initial purpose of the restrictors in this application was to control the speed as well as the sequence of events during the fold process. Today's larger farm tractors are capable of 30 or 40 and even up to 60 or more gallons per minute of flow at 3000 psi so it's imperative for the manufacturer of the attachments to control that tiger. Many of the tractors have electronically adjustable flow rates but the operator is relied upon to utilize them.
I can see where the restrictors are very useful for precise adjustment of top and tilt cylinders as Gordon, the OP, demonstrates above.

01-19-2013, 05:03 PM

jmc

Re: I Added Hydraulic Restrictors to my Top 'n' Tilt Today

Gordon,

Thanks for the report on flow restrictors. I'm going to try some. I've got piloted check valves which, I think, aggravates the feathering problem since nothing happens at less than 500 psi.

OT but have you considered using the adjustable side link (you replaced with the cylinder) on the left side of your tractor to replace the fixed length link? With both sides adjustable, it gives you more tilt. Also, it's difficult to explain, but even if you don't need more tilt, you can raise/lower both sides of your implement back there so that the 3ph lever is in a comfortable position where you use it most. Like when I'm looking over my right shoulder while grading, I can't keep my hand on the 3ph lever if it's down low. By lengthening both side links, the lever now is higher and within reach when the blade is on the ground. Even thou doing this uses up some of your total lift, there's probably still enough.

John

01-19-2013, 08:07 PM

BIG DOOLEY

Re: I Added Hydraulic Restrictors to my Top 'n' Tilt Today

Thanks for the tips.
I just modified my rear blade and now have hydraulic angling.
I'm thinking of modifying a cylinder for side link adjustment for my J. D. 2320.
My side link is not straight.
I probably won't have as big of flow issue but I might still want an orifice.
A VERY beautiful place you have there!
Tom

01-20-2013, 09:18 AM

npalen

Re: I Added Hydraulic Restrictors to my Top 'n' Tilt Today

Just to give an idea how fast a cylinder retracts I did the following scenario:
2" bore cylinder with 1" rod at 10 GPM will move approximately 16"/second.
(2" bore is 3.14 square inches and 1" rod is .785 square inches leaving 2.355 square inches of area when retracting the rod. 10 GPM is 2310 cubic inches per minute divided by the 2.355 area and then by 60 seconds/minute)
Briefly feathering or tapping the control valve will, of course, slow the cylinder down.

01-20-2013, 10:51 AM

jinman

Re: I Added Hydraulic Restrictors to my Top 'n' Tilt Today

I'm surprised somebody hasn't also mentioned that you can add an adjustable needle valve to one side of the hydraulic circuit also. The needle valve will give you complete control of flow for any sized cylinder, but is more expensive than the simple orifice. I've also been advised that you should not install an orifice just before a right angle connector. The high pressure jet can actually cut through the fitting. This is hearsay, but comes from Mark Carter of CCM. Frankly, if you are not in a constant flow situation, I think the chance of this being an issue is nil.